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New York, April 19th, 1883. 



Dear Sir : 



The emigration of the Huguenots in the seventeenth 
century is one of the most important events of modern 
history. It prepared the way for the overthrow, a century 
later, of the old regime in France; it greatly enriched, 
morally, intellectually and materiall}^, every country in 
which the exiles took refuge; and it is the true source of 
the liberal character which has since marked the public 
polity of Europe. 

Besides this general significance, the Huguenot emigra- 
tion possessed two features which distinguished it from all 
similar events known in history, and which render its care- 
ful study and commemoration eminently proper and in- 
structive. The Huguenots, in the first place, were not 
ivilling exiles. They did not, like so many common adven- 
turers, leave their country to seek fortune abroad. It was 
with them a question of " mass or death ; " and they became 
e>ciles with the deepest regret (and yet in spite of the 
greatest obstacles), in order to enjoy under more liberal 
rulers the indisputable privileges of a free and open Bible. 
This explains the general unobtrusiveness of their life and 
the secret of their deep influence. In the next place, the 
course of their emigration led them to wherever the prin- 
ciple of religious toleration had obtained a foot hold. Large 
bodies of Huguenots, comprising the best elements of the 
population of France, thus settled themselves in various 









parts of Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Great Britain, 
America, etc., etc.; and through these settlements they 
have shaped, directly or indirectly, the character of modern 
civilization to a very important extent. 

Strangely enough, the history of this important move- 
ment has never been adequately written. The only history 
which professes to speak of the emigration as a whole is 
that of M. Charles Weiss, which appeared in 1853. But 
this work, excellent as it is in many respects, is very defi- 
cient in life, and ought to be rewritten and completed in 
the light of recent researches. The same is true of most of 
the special histories which treat of the settlement of the 
Huguenots in the several countries of Europe, and it is not 
too much to say that a few hundred pages would easily 
comprise all that has been published of any real value on 
the history of the Huguenots in America. This dearth of 
satisfactory histories of the Huguenot emigration is no 
doubt due to the difficulties of the task. The subject 
is very extensive, and the gathering of the material is 
-ecessarily slow, arduous and expensive. 

Impressed with the importance of these facts, a few 
gentlemen of Huguenot descent met on Thursday afternoon, 
the 1 2th inst., at the house of the Hon. John Jay for the 
purpose of organizing a society of the descendants of the 
Huguenots in this country. On motion of Mr. Jay, the 
Rev. E. de Puy was elected chairman, and the Rev. A. V. 
Wittmeyer secretary. Letters from Mr. Abram Hewitt, the 
Rev. Dr. Vermilye and others, warmly commending the 
object of the meeting, were then read; and after an address 
by Mr. Jay on the eminent propriety of organizing a 
Huguenot Society, the Secretary read a paper briefly 
setting forth the object, conditions of membership, etc., of 
the proposed Society, which, after discussion and amend- 
ment, was adopted, and is as follows: 

NAME. 

The name of this organization shall be " The Huguenot 
Society of America." 



OBJECT. 
The object of the Society shall be : 

First, To perpetuate the memory and to foster and pro- 
mote the principles and virtues of the Huguenots. 

Secondly, To publicly commemorate at stated times the 
principal events in the history of the Huguenots. 

Thirdly, To discover, collect and preserve all still ex- 
isting documents, monuments, etc., relating to the genea- 
logy or history of the Huguenots of America in general, and 
of those of New York in particular. 

Fourthly, To gather by degrees a library, for the use of 
the Society, composed of all obtainable books, monographs, 
pamphlets, manuscripts, etc., relating to the Huguenots. 

Fifthly, To cause statedly to be prepared and read be- 
fore the Society papers, essays, etc., on obscure or disputed 
questions in Huguenot history or genealogy. 

Sixthly, To cause to be prepared and published, when 
the requisite materials have been discovered and collected, 
a memorial history of the Huguenots in America, wherein 
shall be particularly set forth the part belonging to that 
factor in the growth and development of American char- 
acter, institutions and progress. 

Seventhly, To encourage the foundation of similar So- 
cieties in all other cities or countries where Huguenots have 
taken refuge, in order to arrive, with their aid, at a correct 
estimate of the combined influence of the Huguenots upon 
the history of the world at large. 

MEMBERSHIP. 
The membership of the Society shall be as follows : 
First, All descendants, in both the male and the female 
lines, of the Huguenot families belonging to the emigrations 
of the seventeenth century. 

Secondly, Representatives of other French families 
whose profession of the Protestant faith dates back to the 
time of the Reformation, at whatever period they may have 
come to America. 

Thirdly, Writers who have made the history, genealogy. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




principles, etc., of the Huguenots a ^j„__ ^^^ 6 ^^ 

and research, to whatever nationality they may belong. 

Fourthly, The memibers of the Society shall consist of 
three classes: Resident, Corresponding and Honorary. 

Fifthly, The annual fees of all active members shall be 
five dollars, and the payment of fifty dollars shall constitute 
a life member. 



After the adoption of this paper, a Committee of nine, 
with Mr. de Lancey as chairman, and with power to increase 
its number, was appointed to prepare a constitution and 
by-laws to be submitted to the Society at its next meeting, 
due notice of which will be given to all persons proposing 
to join; and a Special Committee, consisting of Mr. Edward 
F. de Lancey, the Rev. Dr. B. F. De Costa and the Rev. Mr. 
Wittmeyer. was appointed to prepare a circular fully ex- 
plaining the nature and object of the new Society. 

In the accomplishment of this duty, the Special Com- 
mittee have prepared the present circular, copies of which 
wil! be sent to all persons interested in this movement. 
Such persons are cordially invited to join the Society, 
to aid in its permanent organization and in the carrying out 
o^its provisions. All communications should be addressed to 
the Secretary of the Society, the Rev. A. V. WiTTMEVER, 
No. 222 West 2 1 St Street, Kizw York City, N. Y. 

Edward F. de Lancey, 
B. F. De Costa, 
A. V. Wittmeyer, 

Special Coinmlttcc. 



tiBRARV OF CONGBESS 




